February 22, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, issued the following statement on the passage of a Conservative motion to recognize the Uyghur genocide:

“Today, Members from all parties voted to recognize the genocide currently being carried out by the People’s Republic of China against Uyghur and other Turkic Muslims, despite Justin Trudeau and his Cabinet refusing to vote. Their coordinated absence speaks volumes.

“It is shameful that Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government continue to refuse to call the horrific conduct by the Chinese Communist Party what it is: a genocide.

“Now, Conservatives are calling on the Liberal government to respect Parliament and officially recognize the genocide happening in China – as most of their Members did when they voted in support of our motion.

“Canada may be a smaller country in terms of population, but we are a towering giant when it comes to our commitment to human rights. That is why Conservatives call on the Trudeau government to show up for work on human rights and stop their naïve approach to the Chinese Communist Party. The Liberal government needs to stand up for what’s right.”